Original subtitles

Good evening, America. As we enter another week

of staying home, we hope that you and yours

are safe and well.

You know, they say music, during challenging times,

can be universally healing,

and tonight, we hope the music we bring you can do just that

and provide a little escape for your family as you get together.

This show of our top 40 was shot back in January,

so enjoy the music.

This is "American Idol."

[ Tropical music plays ] [ Sighs ]

[ Dolphin squeaking ] This is the life.

We're on island time now.

[ Slurps drink ]

It's the best, isn't it?

Sure is good having you here.

♪♪

You, too, Ryan.

Dude, island time is literally the best.

[ Sighs ] I could sit here all day.

[ Yawns ]

♪♪

Has anyone seen the judges?

♪♪

Yeah, where are they?

♪♪

[ Tropical music plays ]

Guys...we have got to do this showcase.

[ Music slows, stops ]

Ugh. Lionel.

After lunch.

[ Music resumes ]

Okay, then.

I'm hungry.

Eh. I could eat.

[ Grunts ]

You want anything?

Oh, yeah. They've got those amazing Dole Whips.

Would you get one for me? And add kale.

♪♪

Don't want to lose any time in the sun

on this moneymaker.

Oh, hey, see if Bobby wants anything.

♪♪

Lionel: Bobby, you need anything?

[ Groaning ] Water!

You got it, my friend.

[ Exhales sharply ]

Katy: You know, I usually take a nap after lunch.

We've got time for that, right?

Eh, we're on island time.

There's time for everything.

Oh, almost forgot.

This is "American Idol."

♪♪

Luke: I might go buy some fishing gear.

♪♪

Ryan: Tonight, "American Idol" returns

to Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa

in Ko Olina, Hawaii.

[ Cheering ]

As the top 40 soak in

the lavish Hawaiian surroundings...

[ Laughs ]

...there's one thing on all their minds.

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh, we're here in the jungle ♪

By the end of their stay,

half of them will be eliminated from the competition.

♪ Whoa ♪

This is the last chance

to make the best impression on our judges

and land a spot in the coveted top 20.

♪ Whoa ♪

Today is the moment of truth

and the long walk to their judgment.

As they make their way down this path,

they'll be wondering, "Did I do enough?

Was I consistent enough to make it through?"

Their fate lies in the hands of our three judges.

I want to fight for him for one more shot.

Lionel: Oh. Just for one more shot.

♪ ...the jungle, whoa ♪

And this year, the stakes are even higher.

What?

Because making the top 20...

You earned a spot

into the top 20. Top 20. Yes.

...means making it to America's vote.

♪ ...who's gonna make it out alive? ♪

Judges, we ready?

Yes, sir.

An all‐new Final Judgment starts right now.

♪ Tell me who's gonna make it out alive? ♪

Ryan: Up first, in no particular order,

Nick Merico.

[ Cheers and applause ] Nick.

See you later, buddy.

Nick: Today is definitely the biggest moment in my life.

Everyone here is incredibly talented,

but I feel like I did enough to get in the top 20,

and I hope they feel the same way.

Hello, guys. Lionel: How you doing?

Doing well. How you doing? I'm very well.

So, Nicholas,

I'm gonna be quite honest with you.

When we first met...

we bumped heads.

Yes, we did.

♪ Say that I am strong ♪

♪ I think I am weak ♪

We have a problem.

Because I don't like it.

Ooh.

I don't like your attitude.

I want you to understand what it feels like

when people don't adore you.

You got that? I do.

I love confidence,

but you need to dial it back and give us work.

Nick: I've been humbled by this opportunity.

Hopefully, the judges see that I have what it takes.

Ryan: Nick Merico!

[ Cheers and applause ]

♪♪

♪ Same bed, but it feels ♪

♪ Just a little bit bigger now ♪

Katy: Okay.

♪ Our song on the radio ♪

♪ But it don't sound the same ♪

♪ Mm ♪

♪ Our friends talk about you ♪

♪ All it does is just tear me down ♪

Come on, now. Come on.

♪ My heart breaks a little ♪

♪ When I hear your name ♪

♪ It all just sounds like ♪

It's nice to be able to sing to my mom.

My mom's a huge Bruno Mars fan,

and I wanted to sing this for her

because she loves this song so much.

♪ Mm, too young, too dumb to realize ♪

♪ That I should've bought you flowers ♪

She's always been, like, my biggest fan

but yet my toughest critic.

♪ I should have gave you all my hours ♪

♪ When I had the chance ♪

Cheryl: It fills my soul when Nick sings.

It's like that sound

I'll always want to hear forever.

♪ ...all you wanted to do was dance ♪

♪ Now my baby's dancing... ♪

Cheryl: But I think he's so much more than that.

He's got a lot of love and empathy in his heart,

and I'm very proud of him.

Nick: ♪ Oh, I know I'm probably much too late ♪

♪ To try and apologize for my mistakes ♪

♪ But I just want you to know ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

♪ I hope he buys you flowers ♪

♪ I hope he holds your hand ♪

♪ Give you all of his hours ♪

♪ When he has the chance ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

♪ He'll take you to every party ♪

♪ I remember how much you loved to dance ♪

♪ Do all the things I should have ♪

♪ Do‐o‐o‐ne ♪

♪ When I was your man ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

Thank you all.

♪♪

How do you feel about your growth?

Nick: I took what you said to heart.

I got home, and I just got to work.

You know, not going out,

not doing the same things to feed my ego.

I just wanted to be great, you know?

And what you told me really spoke to me, man.

I want to prove to you guys this is what I want.

I got your life right here.

What do you think I'm gonna say?

You're gonna say the honest truth.

[ Chuckles ] That was the best answer. Yeah.

That is a really good answer.

I have to admit something ‐‐

I didn't think you were gonna make it this far.

But something has really changed in me.

I went from not liking you...

[ Chuckles ]

...to appreciating you.

And...you're in our top 20.

Yo!

♪ Step into the light ♪

[ Chuckles ]

Thank you, guys, so much.

And you earned it.

You earned it. Thank you.

You earned it. You earned it.

You're not getting by

on anything besides talent, man. Congrats.

Congratulations, man. Enjoy it, buddy.

That was just a beautiful, full‐circle moment

for you guys.

I really bonded.

Oh, my God!

I'm very thankful to be here right now.

I was really nervous, but, you know, I pulled through,

so I'm ecstatic right now.

I just can't wait to tell my family.

[ All cheering ]

♪ Lights up and they know who you are ♪

So, Nick lands the first spot in the top 20

and will sing for America's vote.

♪ ...know who you are ♪

Coming up...

That's my grandson!

...spectacular performances...

[ All vocalizing ]

That's what I'm talking about.

...and gut‐wrenching heartache.

It's not enough just to be a good singer.

And a brand...

♪ Oh ♪

...new...twist.

What?

Will your favorites...

This ain't no joke, you know?

...survive?

♪ I love it ♪

Man: You're not gonna give up, are you?

Man: Makayla Brownlee!

Luke: She okay?

Lionel: You okay?

Go get her, go get her.

Man: Grab me, grab me, grab me, grab me.

Come on. You're okay. You're okay. You're okay.

Relax, we got you. We're all here. Don't worry.

Woman: Yeah.

♪♪

Mark: Makayla has a condition that's pretty rare.

This opportunity is so important for her.

I'd hate to see it inhibited in any way

because she's such a good singer.

She works so hard at it.

Bobby: I think back to Hollywood Week.

You went through a lot. I did.

Before you have a seizure, do you feel it coming on?

Usually, I have at least 30 seconds before it happens.

I was ab‐‐ Only 30 seconds?

I was able to walk off the stage. Yeah.

I saw you collapse...

Katy: Whoo!

...and then perform.

Makayla: ♪ Yeah, there's always been a rainbow ♪

♪ Hanging over your head ♪

♪ Mm‐mm‐mm ♪

Katy: [ Chuckles ]

[ Cheers and applause ]

Thank you.

Makayla: It's humiliating and it's embarrassing,

and to see the whole audience stand up for me

and just show me that they care about me

and that they are supporting me ‐‐

that's all that I ask of anybody.

♪ When it rains, it pours... ♪

It made my whole life, honestly.

That was so sweet.

Bobby: Let's talk about

what you're going to perform on that stage.

Okay. So, your song is...?

"More Hearts Than Mine" by Ingrid Andress.

That's a really good song. It is.

And she's a really good friend of mine. Really?

We can actually call her if you want. Oh, my gosh.

Like, she's literally one of my really good friends. Really?

Yeah. That's so cool.

Is she actually gonna answer?

I don't know. Let's see.

Hey. There she is.

Oh, my God.

Introduce yourself to Ingrid.

Hi! I'm Makayla!

Hi!

I'm singing "More Hearts Than Mine."

Oh, my God! Yes!

So, what would your main piece of advice be for Makayla

when she's performing tonight?

Just don't overthink it.

Don't get nervous. I mean, you're gonna be great.

Thank you so much. Oh, my gosh.

I love that.

Alright, Ingrid, bye.

Okay, bye! Have fun.

Thank you! Bye.

So, why did you pick that song?

I think the way that I sing it,

I can tell the story very well,

and I think it'll connect with the crowd.

So, we changed it up a lot.

It is crazy how different it is.

So, I'm excited for Luke to hear that.

Ryan: This is Makayla Brownlee!

[ Cheers and applause ]

Makayla: It's a country song,

so Luke hears it

and he hears the change we made,

he'll be really excited about it.

Please, God, please. Please don't scare us again.

Please, God, please.

Please give her the strength, God.

Bobby: So, if another seizure happens here,

what are you gonna do?

♪ Mm ♪

I'm going to get back up and I'm gonna perform

just like I've done all the other times.

♪ I can't wait to show you where I grew up ♪

♪ You know, walk you around the foothill of my town ♪

♪ Probably feel like you've been there before ♪

♪ After hearing all the stories I've been telling you ♪

♪ For six months now ♪

She's cute.

♪ We'll probably have to sleep in separate bedrooms ♪

They really changed the arrangement up on this.

♪ Pack a shirt for church because we'll go ♪

♪ And I'm not trying to scare you off ♪

♪ I just thought that we should talk a few things out ♪

♪ Before we hit the road ♪

♪ And if I bring you home to mama ♪

♪ I guess I'd better warn ya ♪

♪ She falls in love a little faster than I do ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ And my dad will check your tires ♪

♪ Pour your whiskey over ice and ♪

♪ Take you fishing but pretend that he don't like you ♪

♪ Oh, if we break up ♪

♪ I'll be fine ♪

♪ You'll be breaking more hearts than mine ♪

Man, they really...

♪ Whoa ♪

♪ You'll be breaking more hearts than mine ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

♪♪

That song ‐‐ Katy: Thank you, God.

That song...is... Oh, thank you, God.

What's wrong?

Lionel: What happened? What happened?

[ Cheers and applause ]

What happened?

Is she okay? She's ‐‐ I think she's crying.

[ Cheering ]

♪♪

Y'all...

that song is very tender.

It's a tender song.

Oh, my God.

♪♪

That's probably one of the hottest female songs

in country music right now.

I can't believe she changed it up that much.

[ Chuckles ]

Man: How'd it go? Good.

Ooh.

And as you walk down the aisle in just a few minutes,

you'll see the judges up there,

what will you will be reflecting on?

What do you think you'll be thinking about

before they give you your results?

You know, I'm just telling myself

to be happy no matter what.

That's the greatest attitude to have.

I've made it so far, so that's all I can ask.

God bless.

Please, God, give her the strength

to walk this mile.

I have 18 family members that came here to support me.

So, like, making it through would be so cool.

Well, 17 family, 1 boyfriend.

[ Chuckles ]

All I want to do is make them proud.

So, that's my goal.

Hi, guys. How are you?

Good.

You nervous? You know what?

I'm just happy.

Katy: Good. Lionel: Good.

Luke: Good. Good.

I'm so inspired by watching just your story

and your challenges,

and you have scared the dickens out of us. [ Laughs ]

The living daylights. Ugh. I mean...

And it's just been amazing to watch you fight.

Katy: Yes, ma'am. Thank you.

You have so many unique qualities to your voice ‐‐

the way you back‐phrase some stuff.

It's timeless, old‐school tricks,

and we've enjoyed hearing that.

Thank you. With your song that you chose ‐‐

now, why did you change the arrangement up so much?

I mean, it was ‐‐

I'm a big fan of that song.

We wanted it to be faster and... Right.

...so you guys could see that side of me.

Katy: We always like to see when people take little risks

and try something new.

But adrenaline will have a funny effect on you.

You know, in the real fight of it all,

you walk out onstage, and on the first song,

you just fall over.

It's happened to me on many occasions

because I was just too hyped,

and in that case,

that's what happened to you last night.

Luke: Makayla, you're gonna inspire some people.

Katy: Yes. You've inspired us in a lot of ways,

and we've enjoyed watching you every night.

I don't think last night was your strongest performance,

and we're at the time of the competition

where everybody has to be at the top of their game.

♪♪

For right now,

you're not gonna make it into the top 20,

but I want you to know that we love you. Katy: And it's okay.

We love you so much. Lionel: We love you. We love you.

And by the way,

you are the strongest person here. [ Chuckles ]

Girl. Girl, please.

You fighting!

Thank you, guys, so much. Please.

I'm so proud of you.

So proud of how far you've come,

and I hope you've learned so much.

[ Sighs ]

Makayla: This experience has meant

absolutely everything to me.

Amazing.

I'm so thankful for everything.

♪ I can't wait to show you where I grew up ♪

Ooh. [ Sniffles ]

Rejection sucks, but they love me,

and [breathes deeply]

I'm just ‐‐ I'm so proud of myself.

I'm so proud.

♪ After hearing all the stories ♪

♪ I've been telling you ♪ [ Cheers and applause ]

♪ For six months now ♪

♪ If I bring you home to Mama ♪

♪ I guess I better warn ya ♪

Hurts a little bit, yeah. [ Chuckles ]

Makayla: I've just learned to always be myself,

always just go with my gut, and just keep going.

♪ Breaking more hearts than mine ♪

♪♪

Ryan: Welcome back to the beautiful Aulani Resort and Spa.

"American Idol" and family go hand in hand,

and this year,

we've got an unbelievable amount of support

from the grandparents who came to show their love

and soak up the aloha spirit.

♪ Tonight ♪

♪ We are young ♪

We're ready!

[ Screams ]

♪ So, let's set the world on fire ♪

♪ We can burn brighter... ♪

You're the best‐dancing 81‐year‐old I've ever seen.

[ Screams ]

♪ Oh, oh‐oh ♪

Oh, my God!

♪ Tonight ♪

But for DeWayne Crocker Jr...

I am so glad to be here.

Yeah. It's beautiful out here.

Isn't it a blessing?

Yeah. Yes, it is.

...his "Idol" experience isn't complete

without at least four generations.

I'm so close with my great‐grandmother

and the ladies in my family.

Let me see what y'all got. Go.

♪ Tonight ♪

Since I've been in Hawaii,

everyone's been having a good time.

♪ We are young ♪

My great‐grandmother ‐‐

she's been chilling on the beach

and enjoying the lazy river.

I went down the water slide with my grandma.

Here we go!

Alright!

Which was pretty lit, by the way.

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!

Whoa!

Oh, my God!

Whoa!

♪ Than the sun ♪

[ Laughs ]

In my audition,

my great‐grandmother came in and crashed it...

Hey, darling.

How are you?

...and danced with Lionel Richie.

He sung to her.

♪ You have made me what I am ♪

♪ And I am yours ♪

Ahh!

Mm!

You are a treasure.

Thank you. Thank you.

Every time I call her, she talks about it.

It was one of the best moments of her life.

Honestly, they have raised me and shown me that love,

and I'm just so blessed and so honored

to have them in my life.

Yeah!

That's my grandson!

[ Cheers and applause ]

I'm doing "Old Town Road."

I'm doing something unique with the song.

I took it and put a reggae spin on it.

♪ Ooh ♪

For me to make it to the top 20,

I just got to show the judges that I know how to have fun,

and I want them to know that

that's where you will see me be 100% me.

♪ Yeah, I'm gonna take my horse to the old town road ♪

♪ I'm gonna ride 'til I can't no more ♪

Yeah, it never looks like this. Never.

DeWayne: ♪ I'm gonna take my horse to the old town road ♪

♪ I'm gonna ride 'til I can't no more ♪

♪ Hat down, cross town, livin' like a rockstar ♪

♪ Spent a lot of money on my brand‐new guitar ♪

♪ Baby's got a habit ♪

♪ Diamond rings and Findi sports bras ♪

♪ Ridin' down Rodeo in my Maserati sports car ♪

♪ Got no stress, I've been through all that ♪

♪ I'm like a Marlboro Man so I kick on back ♪

♪ Wish I could go on down to that old town road ♪

♪ I'm gonna ride 'til I can't no more ♪

♪ Take my horse to the old town road ♪

♪ The old town road ♪

♪ I'm gonna ride 'til I can't no more ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ I'm gonna take my horse to the old town road ♪

♪ I'm gonna ride 'til I can't no more ♪

Yeah. Let's go. Come on.

♪ Can't nobody tell me nothin' ♪

Come on! Come on!

♪ Can't tell me nothin' ♪

♪ Can't nobody tell me nothin' ♪

♪ Can't tell me nothin' ♪ Let's go.

♪ I'm gonna take my horse to the old town road ♪

♪ I'm gonna ride 'til I can't no more ♪

♪ I'm gonna take my horse to the old town road ♪

♪ I'm gonna ride 'til I can't no mo‐o‐o‐o‐o‐re ♪

[ Cheers and applause ] Lionel: [ Laughing ]

Luke: Oh!

[ Laughs ]

[ Laughs ]

Katy: I think he just played us.

He did it right!

That's what I'm talking about!

He knew his audience. He played us.

DeWayne: I don't want to go home after that performance.

It was probably the most fun I've ever had.

♪♪

Lionel: DeWayne, last night,

when I saw you walk out on that stage

with that cowboy hat on,

I'm thinking, "Who the heck is this guy?"

Little gimmicky.

But sometimes, the gimmick will work.

Now, we have been really wrestling with you.

This was a very hard decision for us.

And now, what is your great‐grandmother gonna wear...

when you come back to Hollywood?

[ Chuckles ]

You're gonna be in our next top 20, my friend.

♪ Yeah, I'm gonna take my horse to the old town road ♪ Congratulations.

Wow.

♪ I'm gonna ride 'til I can't no more ♪

Katy: DeWayne!

Come on!

♪ I'm gonna take my horse to the old town road ♪

Hold on, hold on. [ Song winds to stop ]

That was one of our favorite performances.

And you were trying to be shy right now. Wow. Wow.

You were trying to be shy. Can you believe it?

Not only were we thoroughly entertained,

but you sounded great.

You played all of us, and you played well.

Wow. Thank you so much. I can't believe ‐‐

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much.

And now you want to come in being shy.

Don't even try this.

Don't even try this, man.

Don't you dare be modest.

You tell your great‐grandmother I want to see her, okay?

She would love that.

Take care, man. Yes, sir.

Very proud of you. Thank you so much.

Congrats. [ Exhales sharply ] Thanks.

♪ Ride 'til I can't no more ♪

Are you guys good at celebrating?

We're good at celebrating. Okay.

What?

♪ Take my horse to the old town road ♪ [ Cheering ]

♪ I'm gonna ride 'til I can't no more ♪

♪ I'm gonna take my horse to the old town road ♪

DeWayne: I feel so amazing.

I'm really looking forward to top 20.

It's gonna be incredible.

♪ Yeah, I'm gonna take my horse ♪

♪ To the old town road ♪

♪ I'm gonna ride 'til I can't no more ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

Ryan: Alright. Congratulations!

[ Cheers and applause ]

Welcome back to the Final Judgment.

Ryan: Camryn Leigh Smith.

[ Cheers and applause ]

That's the excitement we're looking for.

16‐year‐old Camryn had an instant connection with Katy.

What music do you typically sing?

I'd say mostly worship stuff.

Oh, girl.

I know exactly what you're talking about.

It gave me hope

for the third season of "American Idol."

[ Chuckles ]

But in Hollywood, she had a rough start.

It's completely unrecognizable ‐‐

the song ‐‐ right now.

Hollywood Week was so stressful.

Yeah, no, this stuff is way out of my comfort zone.

I mean, like, I've performed at church and national anthems.

I just wish we had more time, just to practice our song.

Take a minute.

Get it all out of you, 'cause that's fair,

and get to work. Yeah.

By the end of the week, Camryn rose to the challenge.

Camryn: I'm definitely proud of myself.

Since I've been on "American Idol,"

my stage presence has definitely grown,

my courage.

Camryn, what I love about you is the purity of your voice.

Like, I'm definitely not scared

to put myself out there anymore.

[ Cheers and applause ]

And as she took the Aulani Resort stage,

Camryn put her faith in her song choice.

My song is "Break Every Chain" by Tasha Cobbs.

It's a worship song.

♪ And there is power ♪

♪ In the name of Jesus ♪

[ Cheering ]

Camryn: I had to go with my gut on this one.

It isn't the most performance song,

which is really important in this round,

but I do think that the judges will see my heart on it.

Jesus is my life, so I wanted to sing a song about

[Chuckles] the most important thing in my life.

♪ And there's an army rising up ♪

♪ Oh, yeah ♪

♪ And there's an army ♪

♪ Rising up ♪

♪ And there's an army ♪

♪ Rising up ♪

♪ To break every chain, break every chain ♪

♪ Break every chain ♪

♪ I hear those chains falling ♪

♪ I hear those chains falling ♪

♪ I hear those chains falling ♪

♪ To break every chain, break every chain ♪

♪ Break every chain ♪

Lionel: Alright.

[ Cheers and applause ]

Thank you, guys.

♪♪

She has a cool voice.

Ah.

[ Chuckles ] Wow.

[ Voice breaking ] I felt like I was leading worship in church.

That was really awesome.

For some weird reason, I didn't connect.

I don't know what it was ‐‐ and she was singing.

When you're trying to connect with people,

just remember, like, what's the best thing I can sing

that would include everyone? Right.

♪ Ooh ♪

Oh, you're looking quite Hawaiian there.

Thank you very much. Love it.

How are you?

I'm doing well. How are you?

I'm doing well.

It feels like I'm looking in a mirror.

[ Laughter ]

It's true, and I like that mirror.

Luke: [ Chuckles ]

What kind of artist do you think that you are?

Camryn: I feel most connected

when I sing songs for the Lord, so...

Last night, we were looking for a risk,

and it felt like you went back into that safe zone...

Mm‐hmm. ...of knowing that you are a fantastic worship leader.

You know, you know you can do that

kind of with your eyes closed.

But here at "American Idol," we got to see that growth.

The reason why I love someone like Lauren Daigle

is 'cause it feels like "come just as you are."

Mm‐hmm.

"You are accepted and everyone is invited."

Right. Correct. Mm‐hmm.

What you have is absolutely God‐given.

Beautiful voice.

God has a plan for you.

You know that.

But unfortunately,

it's not gonna be on "American Idol" anymore.

Okay.

I was exactly right where you are,

and my life has changed.

♪ Where are you now? ♪ Perspective has changed.

It's a personal journey,

and no one's telling you not to stand up and be proud.

♪ Look up, child ♪

I'm not worried about you. Thank you.

Thank you for your kind words.

And I love you and I see you.

Mm. Thank you so much.

Luke: Great job.

Take this and make it a step, okay?

Mm‐hmm. Of course. If you want that step.

Yeah. Thank you so much.

Camryn: God has a plan, and I'm so confident that

that plan has me seeking it and that God...

[ Thunder crashes ] ...God is ‐‐ Whoa.

The Lord is speaking right now.

[ Chuckles ]

♪ Hey ♪

♪ Look up, child ♪

That is, like, real rain.

That's real rain, now.

♪ Look up ♪

Aww.

[ Voice breaking ] It's such an amazing affirmation from God.

I just feel so blessed.

Like, I'm hoping to just continue leading worship.

It's like the most important thing in my life,

and I'm not gonna change who I am.

♪ Look up, child ♪

♪ Let me hear you say ♪

Lionel: It's gonna pass.

It's the tropics.

[ Thunder crashes ]

Okay, I'm sitting over here.

That bad boy's coming through the side door.

♪♪

So, we say goodbye to Camryn,

and with the rain coming down,

could these other contestants weather the storm?

♪ Oh, no, here we go again ♪

♪ Fighting over what I said ♪

♪ I'm sorry ♪

Devon: I've always watched "Idol" growing up,

and so to actually be here in Hawaii

gives me, like, a good feeling.

[ Chuckles ] But I'm still nervous

because it's like, I've never performed

on a stage that big before.

♪ Got it bad, baby ♪

♪ Got it bad ♪

♪ Oh, tell me you love me ♪

♪ I need someone ♪

♪ On days like this, I do ♪

♪ On days like this ♪

♪ No, tell me you love me ♪

♪ I need someone ♪

♪ On days like this, I do ♪

♪ On days like this ♪

♪ Oh, can you hear my heart say ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ You ain't nobody 'til you got somebody ♪

♪ You ain't nobody 'til you got somebody ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

♪ Whoa, whoa ♪

♪ You ain't nobody 'til you got somebody ♪

♪ You ain't nobody 'til you got somebody ♪

♪ Alright, everything I need ♪

♪ Is standing right in front of me ♪

♪ I know that we will be alright, alright, yeah ♪

♪ Through the ups and the downs ♪

♪ Well, baby, I'mma stick around ♪

♪ You ain't nobody 'til you got somebody ♪

♪ I know that we will be alright ♪

♪ Alright ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪♪

Come on, snap with me like this. Here.

♪♪

♪ Daylight ♪

Ah.

♪ I wake up feeling like you won't play right ♪

Heh.

♪ I used to know, but now it just don't feel right ♪

♪ It made me put away my pride ♪

I want the judges to see that I can take direction.

Katy told me at Hollywood, "We want to just see you."

♪ So long ♪

"You don't have to do all that stuff with your voice.

You don't have to do all these runs."

♪ So long ♪

♪ You make it hard for boy like that to go on ♪

♪ I'm wishing I could make this mine ♪

Hey, hey.

♪ If you want it ♪

♪ You can have it, oh ♪

♪ And if you need it ♪

♪ We can make it ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ If you want it ♪

♪ You can have it ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

Now, somebody, get your groove on like this.

Hey.

Hey. Yeah.

♪ Just stay woke ♪

♪♪

♪ They be creepin' ♪

♪ They gon' find you ♪

♪ Gon' catch you sleepin' ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Now stay woke ♪

♪ They be creepin' ♪

♪♪

♪ Don't you close your eyes ♪

♪ Mm ♪

♪ Stay woke ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

Hawaii!

How you feeling tonight?

[ Cheering ] You ready to dance?

Come on.

Get ready to dance.

What?

♪♪

[ Drumsticks tapping ]

♪ Ooh, don't we look good together ♪

♪ There's a reason why they watch all night long ♪

It would just mean the world to me

if I got top 20

and it just validated all my hard work,

especially coming from my idol.

It would just be amazing.

♪ Tonight I'm gonna show you off ♪

♪ 'Cause when I'm walking with you ♪

Come on.

♪ I watch the whole room change ♪

♪ I watch the whole room change ♪

♪ Baby, that's what you do ♪

♪ Baby, that's what you do ♪

♪ No, my baby, don't play ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Blame it on my confidence ♪

♪ Oh, blame it on your measurements ♪

♪ Shut that down on sight ♪

Come on.

♪ That's right ♪

♪ We out here drippin' in finesse ♪

Whoo!

♪ It don't make no sense ♪

♪ Out here drippin' in finesse ♪

♪ You know it, you know it ♪

♪ Drippin' in finesse ♪

♪ It don't make no sense ♪

♪ Out here drippin' in finesse ♪

♪ You know it, you know it ♪

♪ Ooh, ooh ♪

♪ Drippin' in finesse ♪

♪ Drippin' in finesse ♪

♪ You know it, you know it ♪ ♪ Ohhh ♪

Come on. ♪ Oh, you got it ♪

♪ Drippin' in finesse ♪

♪ Don't it feel so good to be us, baby? ♪

♪♪

Whoo!

♪ Drippin' in finesse ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

Come on!

Geena: I think I just laid it all out there.

So, hopefully it sounded good.

I don't know. Hopefully I'm top 20.

Ehh...

♪ They may call it a shot in the dark ♪

Luke: Geena.

♪ From what we know ♪ Hi.

How are you?

You have some signature artist qualities,

where you feel like an artist.

Lionel: I could tell from the beginning

that you had a lot of experience on stage.

Thank you.

I see myself in you, in your hustle,

in your desire to separate yourself from the pack.

But at this point right now,

we are having to cut some great talent.

Yeah.

Unfortunately, this is gonna be the end

of the "American Idol" journey for you.

♪♪

For real?

♪ There's no race, there's only a runner ♪

Love you.

♪ Just keep one foot in front of the other ♪ No.

Devon: It's hard to go home,

but I'm proud of myself and I'm proud of what I did.

♪ Oh, oh ♪

Dang, I really, really wanted this.

♪ 1, 2, 3, even when you get tired ♪

Jordan: Did my best.

It just ‐‐ It wasn't enough.

♪ We made something ♪

♪ We made something of ourselves ♪ [ Applause ]

Ryan: Back with you for the Final Judgment,

as the remaining contestants wait nervously

for the decision that could change their life forever.

Definitely a lot of nerves.

To be here, top 40, is blowing my mind, really.

Louis: Everyone here is incredibly talented,

the most talented people I've ever seen in my life.

I'm just praying that ‐‐

that it's a yes and I'm in the top 20.

Tell us who you are.

My name's Louis Knight.

♪♪

I wrote this song about going through the loss

of one of my brother and I's best friends to suicide.

Russell ‐‐ he became part of the family instantly.

♪ Come and see ♪

Oh, he was just such a good person.

♪ What human touch can do to you ♪

We were as thick as thieves.

He was always so supportive of my music.

♪ Help me make it through my week ♪

♪ I'm just a lonely being ♪

Anybody here with you?

Yeah, I have my mum, my sister, my brother,

a family friend who came over.

Pretty exciting that your family's here.

So ‐‐ I mean, just the support,

and it's always ‐‐

I mean, it's so great to have your family here.

What song did you decide to go with?

I decided to go with

"Castle on the Hill" by Ed Sheeran.

And it talked about going home, going back to England,

which makes me think of my family

and all my friends that I left behind.

And one of the lyrics said,

"I lost some friends through the years."

It makes me think about Russell

and the great times I had with him,

and it's just, like, a song

of celebrating where you're from.

♪ Take me back to... ♪

But rehearsals proved to be a challenge.

How did that feel, first off?

I think I need to get more when I perform.

I need to be more in the ‐‐

more connected with the song than I was in rehearsal.

The power at the end of that song

is when you really start nailing it in the middle,

and it's so much stronger when we feel you nail it

more so than when you just kind of slowly walk up to it. Yeah.

Thank you so much. See you tonight, bud.

Appreciate it. See you tonight.

[ Cheers and applause ]

I think it's a song everyone can relate to,

and I just have to get up there and get real into it

and just hopefully prove myself, you know?

He didn't have the best rehearsal,

but he's so good.

We'll see what happens here.

I'm nervous for him.

♪♪

♪ When I was six years old, I broke my leg ♪

♪ I was running from my brother and his friends ♪

♪♪

♪ And tasted the sweet perfume ♪

♪ Of the mountain grass ♪

♪ I rolled down ♪ Come on, now!

♪ I was younger then ♪

♪ Take me back to when ♪

♪ I found my heart and broke it here ♪

♪ Made friends and lost them through the years ♪

♪ And I've not seen the roaring fields in so long ♪

♪ I know I've grown ♪ Come on!

Yes!

♪ I can't wait to go home ♪

♪ I'm on my way ♪

♪ Driving at 90 down those ♪

♪ Country lanes ♪

♪ Singing to "Tiny Dancer" ♪

♪ And I miss the way you made ♪

♪ Me feel ♪

♪ It's real ♪

♪ We watched the sunset ♪

♪ Over the castle on the hill ♪

♪ And I miss the way you made ♪

♪ Me feel ♪

♪ It's real ♪

♪ We watched the sunset ♪

♪ We watched the sunset ♪

♪ We watched the sunset ♪

♪ Over the castle on the hill ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

Thank you, guys, so much.

[ Cheers and applause ]

Katy: That wasn't his best performance.

Lionel: No, that was not.

He got into his head,

but he needs a good talking to.

Yeah, I need to just pull him over to the side and say,

"Come here, kid." Tomorrow, he's gonna get a tawkin' to.

I just hope ‐‐ the crowd was, like, clapping from the get‐go.

I just hope I fed into that as much as I could and just...

[ Exhales sharply ]

Wow. Wow.

That was ‐‐

That was Hawaii.

♪♪

I think my vocal could have been a bit stronger,

so I'm really kind of, like, in the middle and not sure.

I just hope I did enough.

How are you guys?

Lionel: Louis.

I wasn't really sure about how the judges felt,

which is why I think I'm really nervous for today.

This is everything I want right now.

♪♪

Listen, we don't like to bet on people,

but we might have, like, a side bet going on,

and the bet's getting shaky,

and I think you're getting in your head.

You need to be in your heart.

That's where you're best.

When you came in

and you sang that song for your friend...

Yeah. ...you were in your heart.

Luke: Yeah. Yeah. That's very true.

You were doing it for your friend.

You weren't doing it for you,

and you need to get back to that place.

[ Exhales deeply ]

I agree. Truly.

♪♪

Um, we love you, but your future,

based on last night was...

was not there.

[ Exhales deeply ]

♪♪

Um, we love you, but your future,

based on last night was...

was not there.

[ Exhales deeply ] It was not there.

But the thing about "American Idol" is

we still take dice rolls.

You go home, you figure out what you have to do

to win this competition

because I got a bet on you.

[ Chuckles ]

We. We got a bet on you!

Thank you.

And we want you to succeed!

We see it in you!

See it in yourself!

Louis, you're going to the next...

That's what I'm talking about! ...level!

[ Voice breaking ] Thank you guys so much. Oh, please.

Thank you, thank you.

I won't let you down.

No. No. No. I don't care about me.

No. Don't let yourself down.

Luke: Right. It's not about us. Don't let your friend down.

Louis: I knew in my heart that I didn't perform

as well as I could have yesterday,

and I'm just so grateful

that they're giving me another chance.

♪ ...and lost them through the years ♪

I'm in the top 20! [ Laughs ]

♪ ...roaring fields in so long ♪

♪ I know I've grown ♪

Do you get to hold Mother's hand at this?

I can. I can.

I can hold you.

♪ I'm on my way ♪

♪ Driving at 90... ♪ [ Cheering ]

Louis: I'm just over the moon.

I don't even know what to say.

I just have to prove myself coming forward,

and I have to bring it and I have to give it my all

and I have to be from the heart.

I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna do it.

♪ And I miss the way you make ♪

♪ Me feel ♪

Small victories.

[ Voice breaking ] And Russell's looking down on me.

♪♪

Small victories. [ Chuckles ]

So, Louis makes the top 20

and gets the chance to sing for America's vote.

Meanwhile, his Hollywood Duet partner, Francisco,

is feeling the pressure.

What has been the biggest challenge for you overall?

Definitely my nerves.

I was a very nervous kid coming into this competition.

148 is his heart rate.

I'm excited to be here.

Now in Hawaii,

can Francisco overcome his nerves

for this all‐important performance?

I want to talk for a second about, you know,

your confidence.

Have you always struggled with self‐confidence?

When I was growing up as a kid,

I was a very talkative person.

I was very, like, open,

but then, like 2019 hit, and it was a dark path.

I did not care about myself anymore.

I was just, like, super insecure.

I didn't care what anyone thought of me anymore.

I just wanted to not socialize,

just stay in my room, that was it.

It was a very terrifying time in my life

because I just hated myself.

♪ "Someway, baby, it's part of me ♪

♪ Apart from me" ♪

Francisco: I had a falling‐out with my family,

my close friends,

because of my insecurities.

♪ I was not magnificent ♪

I wanted to be in solitude most of the time.

I was going through a lot, so it was a tough time for me.

[ Cheers and applause ]

I'll be singing "Falling" by Harry Styles

because the lyrics really resonate with me.

This one goes out to all the people I left behind.

It's my way of saying "I'm sorry."

[ "Falling" plays ]

♪♪

♪ I'm in my bed ♪

♪ And you're not here ♪

♪ And there's no one to blame but the drink ♪

♪ And my wandering hands ♪

[ Cheering ]

♪ What am I now? ♪

♪ What am I now? ♪

♪ What if I'm someone I don't want around? ♪

♪ I'm fallin' again ♪

♪ I'm fallin' again ♪

♪ I'm fallin' ♪

♪ What if I'm down? ♪

♪ What if I'm out? ♪

♪ What if I'm someone you won't talk about? ♪

♪ I'm fallin' again ♪

♪ I'm fallin' again ♪

♪ I'm fallin' ♪

♪♪

♪ I get the feelin' that you'll never need me again ♪

♪♪

♪ I get the feelin' that you'll never need me again ♪

♪ What am I now? ♪

♪ What am I now? ♪

♪ What if I'm someone I don't want around? ♪

♪ I'm fallin' again ♪

♪ I'm fallin' again ♪

♪ I'm fallin' ♪

♪ Oh, I'm fallin' ♪

Luke: Ah.

[ Cheers and applause ]

[ Laughs ]

Wow.

Sorry. I'm just very emotional right now.

I was just channeling everything that I've been through

and all the people I've lost.

It's really emotional, so...yeah.

I'm just taking a minute. I'm sorry.

♪♪

Man, I'm sweating really bad now.

Francisco.

Where's Francisco Martin?

[ Cheers and applause ]

What's up, dude? How you feeling?

I'm good. Yeah?

Yeah. Big smile on his face.

I definitely am feeling anxious.

Luke: Francisco from San Francisco.

I'm hoping my song is enough and my performance

is enough to get into top 20.

That's my man right there, Katy.

[ Chuckles ]

I don't really recognize who you are anymore,

especially what you did last night.

And that's a good thing. Yep.

And did you see when the girls screamed,

did you see what he turned into? He hadn't even sang a note.

I don't even think he sang for a moment.

He just kind of sat there and took it all in.

I was like, "Is that Bruno Mars up there?"

[ Laughter ]

I like it.

Thank you. Thank you.

Man, what I'm proud about is you're figuring out

how to be a real artist,

somebody that you naturally root for.

You check every box.

Thank you.

I have a feeling

that great things are just gonna happen to you

in this experience.

You're just a wonderful talent, man,

and, um, you are definitely going through

to the next level.

[ Exhales sharply ] You're in the top 20.

Relish it and stay who you are.

Thank you so much. Stay exactly who you are.

Thank you so much.

Whatever you're brushing your teeth with, don't change.

[ Laughs ]

Thank you. Thank you.

I feel like the anxious, nervous Francisco is gone.

I like this new Francisco, so, yeah.

Let's keep rolling.

♪ ...tonight ♪

That's my dog.

No, he's a great guy.

That's my horse.

[ Chuckles ]

Where is he? Where is he?

[ Cheering ]

♪ Put 'em up ♪

♪ Two high ♪

♪ Oh ♪

Coming up...

You got to keep those vocals at the highest level

for this competition.

...the Final Judgment continues.

♪ ...changin' ♪

Here's the bad news.

[ Voice breaking ] I never felt like this.

♪♪

Welcome back to the Final Judgment,

where 29‐year‐old father Jovin Webb

is taking the long walk to the judges' verdict.

Luke: Gun show. Jovin: How are you guys?

Whoa. Whoa. Got the guns out.

I've been trying to get this beach body, okay?

Which way to the beach?

Oh, you got to...

Yeah! There you go!

Oh, that way. That way.

Jovin, tell me about your experience here in Hawaii.

Have you loved it?

Unbelievable.

Never thought I'd ever be here.

So, let me tell you where we are with you.

In our business, we look for a little instant identity.

In your case, you were very good at delivering that.

♪ I'm tied ♪

♪ To the whipping post ♪

♪ Oh ♪

I just remember being nervous,

I didn't really know what to expect.

You officially brought the barbecue sauce...

[ Laughs ]

...to "American Idol." Oh, man.

But they kind of stood up for me,

so I knew I was doing something right.

[ Cheers and applause ]

And yesterday, Jovin hoped to bring

that signature sauce to the Aulani Resort stage.

♪ Baby ♪

♪ It's been a long day, baby ♪

♪ Things ain't been going my way ♪

♪ And now I need you here ♪

♪ To clear my mind ♪

♪ All the time ♪

This whole experience has been super emotional,

crazy roller coaster.

I've sacrificed being away from my son.

♪ The way you move me, it's crazy ♪

I can't be there to comfort him, but Daddy's doing business.

♪ ...make it easier ♪

♪ Believe me, you don't even have to try ♪

♪ Oh, because ♪

♪ You are the best thing ♪

♪ You're the best thing, baby ♪

♪ You are the best thing ♪

♪ You're the best thing, baby ♪

♪ You are the best thing ♪

♪ You're the best thing ♪ ♪ Uh ♪

♪ That's ever happened to me ♪

Come on, y'all. Unh.

♪ Both of us have known love before ♪

♪ I come on promising like a spring ♪

♪ To walk on out the door ♪

♪ Love is strong, our hearts are kind ♪

♪ Won't you tell me just exactly what's on my mind? ♪

♪ You are the best thing ♪

♪ You're the best thing, baby ♪

♪ You are the best thing ♪

♪ You're the best thing, yeah ♪

♪ You are the best thing, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ You're the best thing ♪

♪ That's ever happened to me ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

I just want the judges to see that I'm made for this.

It's no joke.

I'm 29 years old now, and it's definitely my last chance.

That top 20 ‐‐

I want that badder than I've wanted anything in my life.

Jovin, you're a nervous wreck, aren't you? I can see that.

[ Chuckles ]

Take a breath.

Now, last night, you did not hit all the notes,

but for us, you have a sound that will work for you

in this business.

You have a lot of signature artist qualities.

You don't have this big, big range, but your artistry

and what you're doing is spot‐on, man.

Now, you're gonna have to build on it and work on it

every day of your life.

Right. Right.

Now, there comes a time

when we have to narrow this thing down, my friend.

And the toughest part about this is...

you're in our top 20.

Oh, my God!

Why'd you do that?

[ Laughs ] Why'd you do that?

I just had to do that, man.

Oh, my God. I mean, I'm so proud of you.

You understand me?

The toughest part is that you just took a spot, bro!

♪ It's a good day to be ♪

♪ A good day for me ♪

Congratulations, man.

♪ A good day to see ♪

Jovin, is that a good sign?

[ Cheering ]

It's a blessing to receive something

and it's giving me a small confidence, man,

that I'm doing something right.

We love you so much, bro.

What's going on inside right now?

What's going on, man?

Relief.

I'm breathing, man. I'm breathing.

I can't wait to talk to my son when I get the chance.

When I go home with that news,

I feel like everybody's gonna lighten back up.

♪ And all my favorite colors ♪

It's for my son, it's for my family,

it's for everybody in Louisiana.

The fight is not over.

Just keep going, man.

Just keep going.

Now that Jovin has secured his spot,

it's time for his Hollywood Duet partner

and fellow Louisiana native Faith Becnel

to find out her fate.

My first audition in Oregon was very uncomfortable for me.

♪ He met Marmalade down in Old New Orleans ♪

I felt like I did not do my best there.

Stop. Yeah!

Let's take a little bit of the hop out of it.

Gotcha. Okay.

Less choppy. Gotcha.

I'm definitely a fighter.

You need to really be confident

and feisty in this competition,

and I'm really excited to do that,

and that's all the Louisiana in me.

♪ My reputation ♪

♪ I'm that chick ♪

♪ Yeah, you already know ♪

Coming from Louisiana, there are so many opportunities

to perform in front of a large crowd with high energy.

I've been in a cover band since I was 10.

♪ ...woman ♪

I've done things like Mardi Gras balls and big festivals.

Every weekend, I'm busy doing things for my career.

[ Cheers and applause ]

Hello, Hawaii.

Hawaii definitely brought that.

So, it really reminded me of home

and how happy I am to be on the stage.

Come on.

Clap for me.

Oh, yeah.

♪ Captured effortlessly ♪

♪ That's the way it was ♪

♪ Happened so naturally ♪

♪ I did not know it was love ♪

♪ The next thing I felt was you ♪

♪ Holding me close ♪

How do you think you did last night, Faith?

I think I was totally in my element.

I got to show you guys a little bit about me.

I left it all on the stage,

and I think I chose a good song for me.

♪ Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa ♪

♪ Ain't nobody ♪

♪ Nobody ♪

♪ Loves me better ♪

♪ Loves me better ♪

♪ Makes me happy ♪

The reason why we're so invested in you

is you're intriguing, fun,

you reel us in with that personality.

♪ Makes me happy, so much love ♪

♪ Makes me feel this ♪

♪ Feel this waaaaaaaay ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

Jovin: Good job, homie.

That's what I'm talking about, player.

Hey. They're all gonna be looking, man.

That's how you bring the sauce.

I've been praying so hard about getting to this next round.

It's definitely a dream come true to come this far,

but I don't want it to end now.

We've kind of picked your voice apart a little bit

'cause we've seen you kind of go, "Ah‐ah‐ah"

and all that stuff, which is your character.

No, it was like, "Ah. Ah. Ah."

[ Chuckles ] How was that?

"Ah. Ah. Ah."

"Ah. Ah. Ah." "Ah. Ah. Ah."

Anyway, last night was not a step up for you...

Okay. ...personally.

Yeah. Especially with our previous critiques.

Yeah. Right, right.

Yep. Yep.

But we still love your personality. Yeah.

We still love what potentially you're going to grow into.

And you're in our top 20.

Hey. You're...

[ Chuckles ] Congratulations.

You made it. Thank you, guys.

Yes.

Thank you so much.

That was so much fun.

♪ Have a little faith in me ♪

Oh, my goodness.

I really just need to hone in on the things that they liked

and just bring that to the next level the next time.

Okay.

We will see, America.

That was a dice roll.

♪ Have a little faith in me ♪

Here comes Faith. Is that good news?

Yeah.

♪ Have a little faith ♪

♪♪

I'm so extremely proud of her.

Don't make me cry.

Top 20 ‐‐ she's there, she did it,

and she's gonna keep on going.

♪ Have a little faith in me ♪

Let's see if the judges have a little faith left

for our next contestant.

Amber Fiedler. Amber?

[ Cheers and applause ]

Good luck.

[ Laughs ] Katy: Whoa!

Luke: Hey!

I definitely have gone through

a lot the last three months,

just with the baby

and then going through the adoption process.

♪ Maybe one day, you'll walk... ♪

[ Voice breaking ] And there's just always gonna be that

"what if," you know?

But I know that she's gonna have a life

that I would never be able to give her.

♪ Give me that dazed look that... ♪

I really hope that she knows where my heart is with her

and to never give up.

[ Chuckles ]

Hollywood Week brought a new set

of challenges for Amber.

♪ Ooh, running through the shadows ♪

I think every round, I have to prove to Katy why I'm here.

I fought for you here with my judges.

But I know you can do better than what you just did.

♪ Now I have to sing... ♪

Amber: I've dreamed about being on this show

ever since I was a little girl.

It really feels like a new chapter, a new beginning.

[ Cheers and applause ]

I'm just so happy with everything

that has happened so far, and, like,

I wouldn't change it for the world.

♪ If you're gonna tell them everything ♪

♪ Tell 'em I'm a good kisser ♪

♪ Tell 'em all the things you told me ♪

♪ In your desperate whisper ♪

♪ If you're gonna tell them everything ♪

♪ Don't leave out the good part ♪

♪ Tell 'em the way that you broke my heart ♪

♪ When you told me that you missed her ♪

♪ Tell 'em I'm a good kisser ♪

♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪

♪ Tell 'em I'm a good kisser ♪

♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪

♪ You know I'm not proud of the thing that we did ♪

♪ Didn't work out, just the way that you wanted ♪

♪ After it all, I stood up tall ♪

♪ I kept my mouth shut so you couldn't fall ♪

♪ Tell 'em I'm a good kisser ♪

♪ Now everybody's talking 'bout me ♪

♪ Tell 'em I'm a good kisser ♪

♪ 'Cause you would dirty me up ♪

♪ Just to get yourself clean ♪

♪ Get yourself clean ♪

♪ Tell 'em I'm a good kisser ♪

♪ Everybody's talking 'bout me ♪

♪ Oh, tell 'em I'm a good kisser, yeah ♪

♪ Dirty me up just to get yourself clean ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Tell 'em I'm a good kisser, yeah ♪

♪ Everybody's talking 'bout me ♪

♪ Tell 'em I'm a good ♪

♪ A good ♪

♪ I'm a good ♪

♪ A good ♪

♪ Tell 'em I'm a good kisser ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

I've never felt more free in my life

getting off of that stage,

knowing that's exactly what I want to do

for the rest of my life.

So, how was last night for you?

Honestly, I wouldn't have changed anything

about my performance last night.

There you go. As crazy as this sounds, I felt my grandma

on that stage with me, and I've never felt that before.

Very good.

It was so good. [ Chuckles ]

Luke: You've had an incredible journey.

Since we met you, you've had a child.

That's why I'm so emotional right now. [ Chuckles ]

Lionel: It's okay. All the hormones.

[ Laughter ]

It's an emotional thing you're going through.

This is tough.

From the day we met you, we have loved your tone,

we have loved what you have given us vocally.

And you've grown every step of the way.

Every time, it's been one notch, but was it one notch last night?

I don't know where in the world

all of this is going to lead.

♪♪

Welcome back to Disney's Aulani,

where the Final Judgment continues.

There's nothing in me that is sad, you know,

about this experience, even if I don't make it.

I mean, I'm just so happy.

So thankful.

Luke: I think at this point of the competition,

we're in to where we're making tough cuts,

and you kind of lost sight of the prize last night.

It was a little too unbridled.

I don't ever want you to lose that energy,

but you got to remember, through all that,

you got to keep those vocals

at the highest level for this competition.

Having said all that...

you're not gonna make our top 20.

We hope that this journey has given you tons of confidence.

I pray it has. Katy: Yeah.

♪ Nobody tells you ♪

And walk out of here with your head high.

♪ It was gonna be this hard ♪

Thank you. [ Sniffles ]

We believe in you. [ Sobs ]

[ Voice breaking ] It sucks when you gave 100% of yourself

and, like, thought you did so good

and then it just wasn't enough, you know?

♪ There aren't any words in this world ♪

♪ That's gonna cure this... ♪

[ Sobbing ]

She's a little fighter.

She's been through a lot.

♪ Sometimes ♪

♪ It's gonna fall down on your shoulders ♪

[ Sobbing ]

♪♪

Heartbroken.

♪ Because the river... ♪

The fact that you put everything out there

and you feel so good about something

and yet, it's still not enough.

It just ‐‐ [ Sobs ]

It hurts so bad.

♪ Sometimes ♪

[ Sobbing ]

♪♪

Just Sam: I've seen so many great people go home today.

I don't even know what's going through my head right now.

Like, it's so much on my mind.

I'm almost just preparing myself to go home, which is sad.

♪♪

To come from the projects to Hawaii?

It's just a whole different scenery.

Everything is...

First of all, I woke up next to a beach.

[ Chuckles ]

I'm so proud of you.

In the projects, things are tough.

You grew up around the craziest things.

This could really change your life.

It could.

It already has.

Remember where you came from

and sing to where you want to go.

Okay. Okay?

♪ As long as I'm... ♪

Yeah, I haven't always felt confident in myself.

Ah. There's my girl.

Every time I perform, every time I walk onto the stage...

Sam.

...I feel supported by the judges.

You're just getting better and better and better,

and you're getting more and more confidence,

and you're starting to believe.

[ Cheers and applause ]

I just feel like I got a team, I got a family, I'm safe.

♪♪

You're a real inspiration to other people where you're from,

and there are gonna be so many kids,

and they're gonna look at you and they're gonna go,

"If she can do it, I can do it." [ Chuckles ]

♪ As long as I'm... ♪

This is about the people who helped me get here.

[ Voice breaking ] It's about making them proud and, like,

showing them that they didn't put effort and time and love

into me for no reason, especially my grandmother.

I wish she could just be here to see me perform.

[ Cheers and applause ]

Oh, beauty and grace.

Thank you, Kris.

You know, it's a risk to sing a song in a language

that you don't know fluently.

♪ Como la flor ♪

Is that risk worth it to you?

Oh, yes, it is.

♪ Con tanto amor ♪

I trust myself and my ability.

I trust that I will impress the judges.

♪ Sé que tienes un nuevo amor ♪

♪ Sin embargo, te deseo lo mejor ♪

♪ Si en mi, no encontraste felicidad ♪

♪ Tal vez, alguien más te la dará ♪

♪ Como la flor ♪

♪ Como la flor ♪

♪ Con tanto amor ♪

♪ Con tanto amor ♪

♪ Me diste tu ♪

♪ Se marchito ♪

♪ Me marcho hoy ♪

♪ Yo sé perder ♪

♪ Ay, ay, ay, como me duele ♪

♪ Ay, ay, ay, como me duele ♪

♪ Si vieras como duele perder... ♪

What is going on with this?

I can't believe it.

♪ ...adios, te llevas mi corazon ♪

♪ Como la flor ♪

♪ Como la flor ♪

♪ Con tanto amor ♪

♪ Con tanto amor ♪

♪ Me diste tu ♪

♪ Se marchito ♪

♪ Ay, ay, ay, como me duele ♪

♪ Ay, ay, ay, como me duele ♪

♪ Oh, ay, como me duele ♪

♪ Ay, ay, ay ♪

Sam. [ Chuckles ]

♪ Oh, how it hurts ♪

Sam!

I love you guys so much!

Sam!

[ Cheers and applause ] Sam!

Luke: Wow.

Sam. Sam.

Oh, my God.

How do you not love her?

Oh, my God.

That's what we call a metamorphosis.

Sam.

That was better than I expected.

Way better than I expected.

Y'all, that was... That was excellent.

That was impressive.

I think it went really well.

♪♪

It would mean everything if I made it to the top 20.

Look at that head. That head is down.

That head's down.

I just love her so much ‐‐ her struggle.

I have to do this for the people that I love.

I have to do this for my grandmother.

Elizabeth: ♪ No, na, no, na, no, na, no ♪

[ Chuckles ] ♪ No, na, no, na, no, na, no ♪

[ Laughs ]

[ Voice breaking ] My grandmother couldn't make it.

We don't have the money,

but I hope to call her with great news.

Girl, this is gonna change our lives.

If there was anything I could say to her right now...

I love you.

Thank you, Grandma.

...I would tell her I love her so much

and this is for her.

♪ I had a dream ♪

Hello. You guys look so nice.

Look who's talking.

Just Sam.

Uncle Luke.

There's nothing "just" about that outfit.

Katy: No. Thank you.

That says, "I am Sam."

"Sam, I am." [ Chuckles ]

Last night, you walked on that stage,

and you were the definition of elegance.

Mm. Wow.

You were beautiful and feminine.

[ Chuckles ] Thank you.

I was using the words "metamorphosis."

Yep. Whoa.

You come out with this whole other image,

and then you sing a Selena song.

[ Chuckles ]

In a different language.

In a different language. In a different language.

My last name is Diaz, but I don't know Spanish.

You fooled me.

[ Chuckles ]

Sam, I couldn't have been more proud...

Thank you. ...if you were my own child.

Do you hear me? [ Voice breaking ] Thank you.

Remember I told you one thing?

Trust you. You can trust us.

Us. Yeah.

And what you did last night was ‐‐ you were so free.

Yeah. You were free.

Last night was, like, the first time

in a very long time that I felt comfortable

and I felt beautiful.

You are. Just remember this ‐‐

[ Sighs ] Whenever you walk in,

we start smiling, and we don't know why.

So, you're gonna go back home...

you're gonna pack your bags,

and you're coming back to Hollywood.

You're in our top 20.

♪ Ooh, child... ♪ [ Chuckles ]

Thank you so much.

Thank you, Sam.

Thank you, guys.

I'm so blessed.

It feels so great to have made it to top 20.

♪ Ooh, child... ♪

This is very positive, a big step for me.

♪ ...easier ♪

A few weeks ago, I was singing every single day,

working so hard, thinking that it was gonna be the same thing

over and over for the rest of my life.

♪ ...and we'll get it undone ♪

♪ Some day ♪

But look at me now.

I kept on pushing, kept on singing from my heart,

and look where it's brought me.

That's a special child there.

That's a special child. I love her, man.

♪ Some day ♪

I'm so excited to call my grandma

and tell her the good news.

Elizabeth: Hello?

I made it.

[ Sobs ]

Because I want you to be here!

[ Sobs ]

[ Chuckles ]

Elizabeth, it's Ryan Seacrest calling.

How are you?

I'm doing good.

We're celebrating.

We wish you were here,

and I will see you soon somewhere, okay?

[ Chuckles ]

I will say hi to her. Okay.

Love you.

[ Chuckles ]

Bye, Grandma. Bye.

My future is looking very bright.

[ Chuckles ]

[ Laughs ]

That was good.

♪♪

Welcome back to the Final Judgment

from Disney's Aulani Resort.

[ Cheering ]

♪ Brother bought a coconut... ♪

All week, "Idol's" top 40 have enjoyed soaking up

the sun and fun of this magical getaway.

♪ She put the lime in the coconut, she drank 'em bot' up ♪

♪ Put the lime in the coconut, she drank 'em bot' up ♪

And 23‐year‐old Jonny West is hitting the beach

with mentor Bobby Bones.

We're on a beach, and you're in white tennis shoes.

That's right. That's the only way.

That's such an insult to white tennis shoes everywhere.

Look at you.

Jonny showed up at the LA auditions

with girlfriend and returning contestant Margie Mays.

It's because of her that I'm here at all.

[ Cheers and applause ]

In Hollywood week, the couple was inseparable...

♪ I feel like the fire when you're touching me ♪

...until Margie was eliminated from the competition

after Solo Round.

♪ I can't be on my own ♪

I was prepared for me not to go,

and I just hadn't thought about if she wouldn't get through.

It was tough, for sure.

She was so quick at just flipping the switch

and being like, "I support you. I'm here for you."

♪ So, is it okay if I don't... ♪

I want you to have this. Yeah.

Okay.

♪ ...ever feel like... ♪

I want you to win.

Love you. You're special, okay?

♪♪

Now in Hawaii, it's the first time Jonny

has been in the competition without Margie by his side.

And Jonny is letting self‐doubt creep in.

Yeah. It definitely feels intense,

just because this is where Margie got cut last year.

Margie, you will not be going forward.

[ Indistinct talking ]

Hey, Jonny, are you okay?

[ Chuckles ] I'm good.

You good? I'm alright. Yeah.

I don't know what to do with all the feelings.

It's just like ‐‐ [ Chuckles ]

I fall victim to the enemy of comparison a lot.

I know a bit of you feels like maybe you're not ready.

Mm‐hmm. Here's the thing ‐‐ you're never ready.

Right. For sure.

At first, it was just fun to do it with Margie

and be able to support her.

If it happens, it happens, but now, it's like,

let me really fight for it.

[ Piano music plays ]

I'm from Murrieta, California.

My dad's a fireman and my mom's a teacher,

and they work really hard.

Growing up, my best friends ‐‐ they were all super athletic,

and I have never been like that.

♪ I'm a little lost at sea ♪

I just wanted a thing, and so I picked up piano

and taught myself how to play.

♪ Ain't nobody looking for me ♪

Steve: The first time I realized that he was really talented

was one of the nights we went to the high school

for a performance, and you just see people

were kind of like, "Wow," you know?

♪ ...will be found ♪

When I graduated high school, I was like,

"That part of my life was fun, but that's over,"

and I looked into truck driving.

I was like, "I want to see the country,

and I can do that by driving a truck, I guess."

My dad and my mom were both like, "What are you doing?"

Like, "You don't want to do this.

You want to do music."

And I just realized, like, how much they had been

paying attention, and that was huge.

We're so proud of you, Jonny.

I know it's a tough industry.

There's so much talent out there.

[ Cheers and applause ]

But I know about passion,

and he is about being a musician.

Alright, let's do it.

♪ Where were you ♪

♪ When everything was falling apart? ♪

♪ All my days ♪

♪ Were spent by the telephone ♪

♪ It never rang ♪

♪ And all I needed was a call ♪

♪ That never came ♪

♪ From the corner of First and Amistad ♪

♪ Lost and insecure ♪

♪ You found me, you found me ♪

♪ Lying on the floor ♪

He's got it. That's great.

He's got it going right now. ♪ Surrounded, surrounded ♪

♪ Why'd you have to wait? ♪

♪ Where were you, where were you? ♪

♪ Just a little late ♪

♪ You found me, you found me ♪

I love that crowd!

♪ And you left me no messages ♪

♪ You never send me no letters ♪

♪ You got some kind of nerve ♪

♪ Taking all I want ♪

♪ Lost and insecure ♪

♪ You found me, you found me ♪

♪ Lying on the floor ♪

♪ Surrounded, surrounded ♪

♪ Why did you have to wait? ♪

♪ Where were you, where were you? ♪

♪ Just a little late ♪

♪ To find me ♪

♪ You found me ♪

Yeah.

[ Cheers and applause ]

Very good, man!

♪♪

[ Chuckles ] Katy: Oh, my gosh.

I get it, Margie.

I get why you're obsessed with him now.

Jonny: It's cool to go from wanting to be a truck driver

just 'cause I was like,

"I don't know what else I want to do," to this.

It's like, don't give up on yourself so quickly.

You were so good!

I'm so proud of you.

♪ What if I don't have a moment? ♪

I want to prove my family right, 'cause they pushed me

and saw something in me, and Margie ‐‐

prove her right 'cause she believes in me so much.

Jonny West. Jonny. [ Cheers and applause ]

How you holding up, Jonny?

I have to show now that I can do this on my own

and that I guess supposed to be here.

♪ Who do I think I am, thinking I have the right to shine? ♪

Jonny.

Jonny boy. Hi. How you doing?

♪ What if I don't have a moment? ♪

How you doing? I'm good. I'm really good.

[ Chuckles ]

You losing a couple of pounds here.

Are you getting stressed?

You going to the gym?

A little bit. You taking yourself seriously?

I'm getting my steps in. Lionel: What?

Katy: Get your steps in.

What do you make of all this?

It's wild. It's very heavy. Yeah.

Yeah, I mean, we're literally, you know,

giving you a jump start, or it's about timing.

It's... Yeah.

You know, I think you're a real serious artist.

Thank you.

Katy: That can also mean that you probably

seriously have some real intense thoughts.

And it seems like you're playing

a little bit of the self‐sabotage game.

Mm. Don't do it.

Don't.

Can I give you a definition of an artist?

We're egotistical maniacs...

...with an Mm. inferiority complex.

[ Chuckles ] Sure, sure. We're overcompensating.

Okay?

There are days when I want it,

I want it, and there are days when I go,

"I can't make it, I can't make it." Mm.

It's gonna haunt you throughout your life.

Too much ego will crash you into the wall.

Correct. Not enough ego will hold you back.

So, you're gonna constantly have this balance

going for the rest of your life.

You made it into the top 40, and I think that's something

to be really celebrated.

It's a big accomplishment...

but you're no longer in the top 40.

Mm‐hmm.

You're in the top 20.

Oh, man. [ Chuckles ]

Awesome.

You're in the top 20, Jonny.

Thank you so much. You're in it.

There's two voices that are going on right now.

Mm‐hmm. There's one that's coming from here

and there's one coming from here.

Block this bitch.

[ Chuckles ]

And keep this one in tune, okay?

Your gut.

It's a cool sense of validation

because I look up to all three of them

and they inspire me for sure.

It feels really good, and I'm definitely ready

to bring it for the next round, and I think my family

would be really proud, so...yeah.

♪ And girl... ♪

You got it. You going through?

You got it.

♪♪

[ Whistles ]

We're getting married.

You know, I've never hit, like, the game‐winner

or got the straight A and I've never felt

what that feels like, and...

That's a great way to put it. ...and this is something that,

you know ‐‐ this feels really good, so...

♪ I love you ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ I love you ♪

♪ Night and day ♪

♪♪

♪ I love you ♪

Welcome back to "American Idol,"

the Final Judgment,

where getting down to the top 20 means

saying goodbye to a lot of talent.

Dillon: I don't know. You feel for these people.

You just ‐‐ You love them,

so you don't want them to be broken or hurting,

and you know that they just should be chasing this dream,

and you hope they still do.

♪ It weighs heavier on one's heart ♪

At this point, if I went home, I wouldn't be too sad.

I know that all these people that are here

are so talented and good people, too.

And now, Dillon James.

[ Cheers and applause ]

♪ There is more than meets the eye ♪

Bobby: Top 40 in Hawaii. I mean, look where we are.

You should be really proud of yourself.

I am. I mean, you've just come such a long ways.

Yeah, yeah.

Tell us about your life growing up.

I had a good home life, and kind of as I got older,

I met trials and tribulations through drugs and alcohol.

Lionel: You gave us this story of surrender.

For you to interpret a song like that is everything.

Thank you.

Who would have thought you would be here in Hawaii

on a beach on "American Idol"?

The last five years of my life, I've been sleeping

on friends' couches, finding myself in the streets,

addicted to drugs and alcohol.

I'm actually now two‐years sober.

I have a beautiful relationship with my family again.

♪ Whoa ♪

♪ Don't give in to their feelings ♪

I'm doing as best I can, and if that's all I can do,

that's all I can do.

♪ Don't give in... ♪

Your whole family's here because of what you're able to do,

and that's gotten so much bigger than "American Idol,"

and that's big. You're making my smile, man.

You should smile, 'cause it's a real serious thing.

It's "American Idol" and that's big, but, you know,

what's bigger is that your whole family's here with you right now.

Yeah.

I don't really like to compare myself

to all these people 'cause I know they're all good.

They're all great.

So, for me to say,

"Oh, I deserve to be in the top 20"

is kind of like something I would never say.

I don't think I deserve anything,

but I know that I'm trying my best,

and I hope that I can earn a spot in there.

♪ Whoa, are you gonna break? ♪

Ryan: Alright, alright. This is Dillon James!

[ Cheers and applause ]

♪♪

[ Exhales sharply ] How's everybody doing tonight?

[ Cheers and applause ]

Tonight, I'm gonna be singing a song

by the legendary Bob Dylan.

It's a song that I think is more relevant now than ever before,

and it's called "The Times They Are A‐Changin'."

And right now, together, we're here, and we're one,

right now in this moment in paradise,

so there's a lot of things we can't change,

but there's a lot of things we can, so...

[ Cheers and applause ]

I hope you guys enjoy.

[ Guitar music plays ]

♪♪

♪ Come gather 'round, people, wherever we roam ♪

♪ And admit that the waters around you have grown ♪

♪ And accept that it soon, you'll be drenched to the bone ♪

♪ And if your time to you is worth saving ♪

♪ Well, then you better start swimmin' ♪

♪ Or you'll sink like a stone ♪

♪ Oh, the times, they are a‐changin' ♪

God, he looks like a star!

♪ Come, writers and critics, who prophesize with your pen ♪

♪ And keep your eyes wide, the chance won't come again ♪

♪ Don't speak too soon ♪

♪ For the wheel's still in spin ♪

Wow.

♪ And there's no tellin' who it's namin' ♪

♪ For the losers now will be later to win ♪

♪ Oh, the times, they are a‐changin' ♪

♪ Come, mothers and fathers, throughout the land ♪

♪ And don't criticize what you can't understand ♪

♪ Your sons and your daughters are beyond your command ♪

♪ And your old road is rapidly aging ♪

♪ Please get out of the new one if you can't lend a hand ♪

♪ Oh, the times, they are a‐changin' ♪

♪ Times, they are a‐changin' ♪

[ Cheers and applause ]

Thank you guys very much.

You got that look, boy.

Oh. Lord, have mercy.

I wish he would, like, lean into the emotional part

of his voice a little bit more.

It was cool, man. I think I...

There was a lot of me in the way, but I'm just happy.

I'm in paradise, I'm singing.

It's a beautiful thing.

Top 20 just doesn't seem real to me, but if it was,

it would be a magical moment in my life.

Hey. How you guys doing?

Dillon. It's alright, man.

Hopefully, now I have enough clarity in my mind

to be able to witness it instead of just letting it pass me up.

All I want to know ‐‐ when you walked out

on that stage, what did you feel?

For me, in my life, in my journey

that I've been going through, it's like you kind of pray

and hope and wish to do something with your life

and not fall apart in front of your family and your friends.

Time goes by quick, you know?

And so, now that I'm standing here,

it feels like a blink of an eye

and I'm right here with you guys. Yeah.

It's a blessing to just be here alive,

to be able to breathe in the beautiful air.

So, I don't know.

You know, we look back on our careers,

and we say the same thing ‐‐ Once we get here,

we realize, "How did that happen?"

Yeah. But be amazed.

Be amazed. Yeah. Be amazed every day.

Be amazed every day, okay?

You have come through a tunnel.

Yeah.

And last night, you came out of that tunnel.

Thank you.

What we have now is competition all around.

We are having to cut some great talent.

I'm going to say to you...

[ Sniffles ] Tomorrow night...

Luke: It's tough. He's a good singer. Katy: Yeah.

I'm so sorry.

...find out Dillon's fate...

This ain't no joke, you know?

...and the future of the rest of your favorites...

[ Cheering ] ...as our dramatic Final Judgment continues.

It's not enough just to be a good singer.

I'm sorry.

And it all ends with a twist

that will go down in "Idol" history.

♪♪

Oh, my gosh! What?

This is insane.